Tags
Addison's disease, Adrenal fatigue, Adrenal gland, Cortisol, Disease, Health, Insomnia, Long-term depression, Sleep disorder
As most of my lovely readers know I suffer from Addison’s Disease, an autoimmune failure of my adrenal gland. One of the many consequences of this disease is medically induced insomnia and depression. A lack of cortical hormone amongst others in my body results in a debilitating form of depression, even though life is shiny and happy the black cloud of depression can steal it away in a second. The illness itself can cause depression due to a lack of necessary brain hormones and the corticosteroids I take to stay alive can cause long term depression. Any kind of stress during these periods can send me into bed unable to leave my room, tears, suicidal ideation and an overwhelming sadness strikes. This usually lifts once my body stabilizes and my cortisol levels return to normal, or what is normal for me.
A couple of weeks ago I fasted for a colonoscopy, and a result of the constant and dreadful trips to the bathroom pre procedure my cortisol levels dipped to almost non existent. A simple procedure can destabilize my body for several weeks. Once my cortisol levels rise again I am once again hit with chronic insomnia, because too much cortisol leads to a sleep disorder. On top of all this the summer hears drains my electrolytes and staying hydrated becomes of essential importance, meaning constant sports drinks or mineral waters with large amounts of electrolytes in them.
Am I just whining here? I guess in a way I am. I look back in history and see that JFK had Addison’s disease and ran a country. Sure he faced the Bay of Pigs debacle, something I always suspected was caused by his cortisol imbalance. Too much or too little can make us a little crazy. Just ask my partner, sometimes I am happy and sometimes when my body is just not working properly I fall to pieces. How did you manage your life Mr. President, although his presidency lasted for under one thousand days I have read almost every book written about him, about his illness, his medical condition and ask myself how can I manage as he did. The reality however is that when we search a little deeper he didn’t manage his health very well and he had the privilege of having a doctor travel with him wherever he went. I once put this option to my endocrinologist but sadly he laughed. Little did he know I was almost serious.
I have so much more to say on this but tiredness, muscle weakness and constant pain is an increasing companion.
Love your body and enjoy your wellness.
xoxoxoxo
Kay, my heart breaks for you. The cycle of depression, insomia…never ending. You are a strong individual with so much potential. Keep writing about all your thoughts and feelings as you struggle through Addison’s Dis “ease”.
Love and hugs to you.
Ainslie
oops…it is only 8:44 a.m….where I am, not much sleep last night…”insomia” should be “insomnia”.
just take care of yourself the best you can and take care. it is not whining to mention your problems with a condition that has the effect on your life that yours does. you deserve credit for what you have managed to accomplish.